Here’s one for the first-time gardeners. If you’re interested in gardening—either for produce or simply for beauty—you’re probably beginning to realize that the time is nigh for getting things going. Spring has arrived, and in many places that means the sun is shining for longer hours and soil is beginning to thaw. But before you head on down to your local nursery, take a few simple steps to figure out your first gardening experience.

The first thing you’ll want to do is just take a look around your current space. Are you going to be growing inside or outside? Where are you going to plant? How much space do you really have? Simply observe your garden area to see what you have to offer plants.

Consider how much sun your plants will be able to get. Some areas of your yard/porch will get more light than others, and this means temperature will vary by several degrees for each area. Also think about how this will change as we progress into summer. Every plant has a preferred climate and balance between sun and shade, and some are very sensitive. Many fruits and veggies need to have access to lots of light to grow and mature properly.

Another thing to observe is the state of the soil in your garden. If you’re planting indoors, you’ll need to purchase all your soil mixes anyway, so this will not be as much of an issue. But if you’re growing outside, soil needs to be carefully monitored to make sure it’s healthy enough to provide nourishment to plants. Soil needs to be tilled and have a good amount of organic material in it (such as compost). You can also top off garden soil with a layer of potting soil purchased at a local nursery.

Last on the list of considerations is figuring out what to grow and when. Make sure and follow a planting calendar, because that will indicate when the appropriate planting seasons are. This will ensure you yield the best produce and minimize waste from planting during the wrong season for the plant.